Bottle and cap closure apparatus with torque feature

ABSTRACT

A closure apparatus for a bottle neck and cap increases the torque necessary to remove the cap from the bottle neck. Projections are provided on one of the bottle neck exterior and cap interior, and indentations are provided on the other of the bottle neck exterior and cap interior. When the cap is secured on the bottle neck, the projections engage in the indentations. The engagement of the projections in the indentations requires an increased torque to remove the cap from the bottle neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a closure apparatus for a bottle neckand cap that increases the torque necessary to remove the cap from thebottle neck. More specifically, projections are provided on one of thebottle neck and cap interior, and indentations are provided on the otherof the bottle neck and cap interior. When the cap is secured on thebottle neck, the projections engage in the indentations. The engagementof the projections in the indentations requires an increased torque toremove the cap from the bottle neck.

(2) Description of the Related Art

A typical bottle and cap closure apparatus comprises a bottle neckhaving one or more exterior screw threads that engage with interiorscrew threads of the cap. The cap is positioned on top of the bottleneck and turned in the clockwise direction relative to the bottle toscrew the interior threads of the bottle cap onto the exterior threadsof the bottle neck. To remove the cap from the bottle neck, the cap isrotated in the opposite, counterclockwise direction. In both attachingthe cap to the bottle neck and removing the cap from the bottle neck, itis the sliding engagement between the exterior screw threads of thebottle neck and the interior screw threads of the cap that attach thecap to the bottle neck and remove the cap from the bottle neck.

When the cap is secured tightly on the bottle neck, it is the frictionengagement between the bottle neck exterior screw threads and the capinterior screw threads that securely holds the cap to the bottle neck.This friction engagement between the screw threads of the bottle neckand the cap also often affects the quality of the liquid seal betweenthe cap and bottle. Typically, when the cap is screwed tightly down onthe bottle neck, an annular surface at the top of the bottle neck willengage in sealing engagement with an interior surface of the cap,thereby providing a liquid seal between the cap and bottle neck. If thecap is loose on the bottle neck due to the cap not being screwed downentirely on the bottle neck liquid contained in the bottle couldpotentially leak through the connection.

A disadvantage often encountered in the constructions of bottle and capclosures of the type described above is the tendency of the cap tobecome loose from the bottle neck. When the cap is screwed down tightlyonto the bottle neck providing a seal between the bottle neck and thecap, often only the friction engagement between the external screwthreads of the bottle neck and the internal screw threads of the capholds the cap in its sealed position against the top of the bottle neck.When the cap and bottle neck are subjected to certain conditions, forexample when the cap and bottle neck are vibrated when beingtransported, the cap can have a tendency to move in a counterclockwiserotation on the bottle neck due to the spiraling configurations of theexterior screw threads of the bottle neck and the interior screw threadsof the cap. This counterclockwise rotation of the cap is called “backingoff”, and can cause leakage of a liquid contained in the bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bottle and cap closure apparatus thatovercomes disadvantages associated with the constructions of prior artbottle and cap closure apparatus by providing an enhanced torquefeature. The enhanced torque feature of the bottle and cap closureapparatus of the invention securely holds the cap on the bottle neck andrequires an increased counterclockwise torque on the bottle cap toremove the cap from the bottle neck, thereby preventing the backing offof the cap from the bottle neck. The bottle and cap closure apparatus ofthe invention is provided in several different embodiments, with eachembodiment employing a basic concept of the invention.

A first embodiment of the bottle and cap closure apparatus of theinvention improves the conventional construction of a bottle and capclosure. The apparatus is employed on a bottle neck having an exteriorscrew thread that spirals around the bottle neck, and a bottle caphaving an interior screw thread that spirals around the interior of thecap. The bottle neck screw thread and the cap screw thread are mated andscrewed together in attaching the cap to the bottle neck in theconventional manner. However, the bottle and cap closure apparatus ofthe invention differs from the constructions of prior art bottle and capclosure apparatus by providing a number of projections that extendaxially outwardly from a flank surface of the bottle neck screw thread.The same number of indentations extend axially into a flank surface ofthe cap screw thread.

In attaching the cap to the bottle neck, the axial projections on thebottle neck screw thread extend into the axial indentations in the capscrew thread and thereby securely hold the cap on the bottle neck andprevent backing off of the cap. To remove the cap from the bottle neck asufficient torque force must be exerted on the cap to cause thedisengagement of the bottle neck screw thread projections from the capscrew thread indentations.

A second embodiment of the bottle and cap closure apparatus is similarin construction to the first embodiment, except that the axialindentations are provided in the bottle neck screw thread, and the axialprojections are provided on the bottle cap screw thread. The bottle capprojections are received in the bottle neck indentations to securelyhold the cap to the bottle neck and to prevent backing off of the cap.Like the previously described embodiment, to remove the cap from thebottle neck a sufficient torque force must be exerted on the bottle capto cause the disengagement of the bottle cap screw thread projectionsfrom the bottle neck screw thread indentations.

A third embodiment of the bottle and cap closure apparatus is similar tothe previously described embodiments, except that it comprises a numberof projections that project radially outwardly from the bottle neckadjacent the bottle neck screw threads. The screw thread of the cap isprovided with an equal number of indentations that extend radially intothe screw thread of the cap. In attaching the cap to the bottle neck,the radial projections on the bottle neck extend into the radialindentations on the cap to securely hold the cap to the bottle neck andto prevent backing off of the cap. In order to remove the cap from thebottle neck, a sufficient torque force must be exerted to cause thebottle neck projections to disengage from the bottle cap indentations.

In each of the embodiments of the bottle and cap closure apparatusdescribed above, the engagement of projections on one of the bottle neckand cap into indentations of the other of the bottle neck and capsecurely holds the cap to the bottle neck and prevents the unintendedbacking off of the bottle cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention are set forth in the followingdetailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of invention, and inthe drawing figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial view of a bottle employing a first embodiment of thebottle and cap closure apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a bottle cap employing the bottle and capclosure apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of a bottle employing a second embodiment ofthe bottle and cap closure apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a bottle cap employing the bottle and capclosure apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of a bottle employing a third embodiment of thebottle and cap closure apparatus of the invention; and,

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a bottle cap employing the bottle and capclosure apparatus of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Each of the embodiments of the bottle neck closure apparatus to bedescribed could simply be used to close the opening of a bottle, orcould be used as an attachment for another component to the bottle, forexample a hand operated trigger sprayer. In each of the embodiments tobe described the component parts of the embodiments are constructed ofmaterials typically used in the construction of bottle and cap closures,for example plastic material. A first embodiment of the bottle and capclosure apparatus of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows an upper portion of a bottle 12 having a cylindrical bottleneck 14. The bottle neck 14 surrounds an opening to an interior volumeof the bottle. The bottle neck and bottle opening have a center axis 16that defines mutually perpendicular axial and radial directions relativeto the bottle 12 and the bottle neck 14. The bottle neck 14 has acylindrical exterior surface 18 that extends upwardly from the bottle 12to an annular end surface 22 of the neck that surrounds the bottleopening. The features of the bottle described above are typical in theconstruction of most bottles.

The novel features of the invention are provided in the construction ofa bottle screw thread 24 on the bottle neck exterior surface 18. Thebottle screw thread 24 has a length that extends from a first end 26 ofthe thread to a second end 28 of the thread. The thread first end 26 ispositioned adjacent the annular end surface 22 of the bottle neck. Fromthe first end 26, the screw thread spirals around the bottle neckexterior surface 18 to the thread second end 28 positioned adjacent thebottle 12. The screw thread 24 is formed with opposite flank surfaces32, 34 that extend the length of the thread. The thread is also formedwith a crest surface 36 that separates the opposite flank surfaces 32,34 of the thread. The crest surface 36 also extends the length of thethread.

The construction of the bottle screw thread 24 differs from that ofconventional screw threads in that it is provided with a plurality ofprojections 38 that project axially from one of the thread flanksurfaces 34. In the embodiment of the bottle shown in FIG. 1, theprojections 38 project axially downwardly from the lower flank surface34 positioned on the underside of the screw thread 24. Although fourprojections 38 are shown in FIG. 1, a greater number of projections or alesser number of projections could also be employed. The projections 38have a general triangular configuration and are separated from eachother by portions of the screw thread flank surface 34. Constructing thebottle 12 of a plastic material gives the projections 38 a resiliencethat allows the projections 38 to compress and deflect slightly whenattaching the cap 42 to the bottle neck 14. In the preferred embodimentof the invention, the projections 38 are positioned adjacent the secondend 28 of the screw thread. Although only one screw thread 24 is shownon the bottle neck in FIG. 1, the one screw thread could be replaced bya pair of screw threads of shorter length.

FIG. 2 shows the construction of a cap 42 that is employed with thebottle 12 of FIG. 1. The cap 42 shown is adapted for use in attaching atrigger sprayer to the bottle 12, and therefore has an opening throughthe top of the cap. The cap is shown in cross section to provide abetter view of the novel construction of the interior of the cap. Invariant embodiments of the cap 42, the top of the cap could be closed toprovide a sealing closure for the bottle 12.

The cap 42 has a cylindrical side wall 44 with a cylindrical interiorsurface 46. The interior surface 46 extends axially downwardly from thetop of the cap 42 to a bottom annular end surface 48 of the cap. The capend surface 48 and interior surface 46 surround an interior volume ofthe cap that is dimensioned to receive the bottle neck 14 in securingthe cap 42 on the bottle 12. The construction of the cap described tothis point is typical among many caps.

The novel construction of the cap 42 is provided in the particularconstruction of an internal screw thread 52 that spirals around the capinterior surface 46. The cap screw thread 52 has a length with a firstend 54 adjacent the top of the cap sidewall 44, and an opposite secondend 56 adjacent the annular end surface 48 of the cap. The screw threadis formed with opposite flank surfaces 62, 64 that extend the length ofthe screw thread between the first 54 and second 56 ends. A crestsurface 66 of the thread separates the two flank surfaces 62, 64 andalso extends the length of the thread from the first end 54 to thesecond end 56.

A plurality of indentations 68 extend into the cap screw thread 52. Thenumber of indentations 68 corresponds to the number of projections 38 onthe bottle screw thread 24. The indentations 68 extend axiallydownwardly into the top flank surface 62 of the screw thread as shown inFIG. 2. The spatial arrangement of the indentations 68 in the flanksurface 62 corresponds to the spatial arrangement of the projections 38on the bottle screw thread 24. The indentations 68 are also providedadjacent the second end 56 of the cap screw thread 52.

In attaching the cap 42 to the bottle 12, the cap 42 is screw threadedon the bottle neck 14 in the conventional manner. However, as the cap 42is screwed down on the bottle neck 14, the cap screw thread indentations68 approach the bottle screw thread projections 38. As the cap 42 istightened down on the bottle neck 14, the bottle neck screw threadprojections 38 will align with and extend into the cap screw threadindentations 68. This securely holds the cap 42 on the bottle neck 14and prevents backing off of the cap from the bottle neck. To remove thecap 42 from the bottle neck 14 a sufficient torque must be exerted onthe cap to cause the disengagement of the bottle neck screw threadprojections 38 from the cap screw thread indentations 68.

A second embodiment of the bottle and cap closure apparatus of theinvention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This second embodiment is similarin construction to that of the previously described embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, and common structural features of the second embodimentto those of the first embodiment are labeled with the same referencenumbers followed by a prime (′). Because the second embodiment hascommon structural features to the first embodiment that have alreadybeen described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, these common structuralfeatures will not again be described.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the bottle neck screw thread 24′ ofthe second embodiment of the apparatus differs in construction from thatof the first embodiment in that the projections 38 of the firstembodiment are replaced by a plurality of triangular indentations 72. Asshown in FIG. 3, the plurality of indentations 72 have a generaltriangular configuration and extend axially upwardly into the bottomflank surface 34′ of the bottle screw thread 24′. In a similar manner tothe previously described embodiment, the bottle thread indentations 72are positioned adjacent the second end 28′ of the bottle screw thread24′.

The cap 42′ of the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4differs in construction from that of the first embodiment in that thescrew thread indentations 68 of the first embodiment of the cap arereplaced by screw thread projections 74 on the second embodiment of thecap. As shown in FIG. 4, the shape and number of cap screw threadprojections 74 correspond to the shape and number of bottle screw threadindentations 72. The spatial positioning of the cap projections 74 alsocorresponds to that of the bottle thread indentations 72.

In attaching the cap 42′ to the bottle neck 14′, the cap is firstinitially screw threaded onto the bottle neck. As the cap 42′ istightened down on the bottle neck 14′, the cap projections 74 approachthe bottle thread indentations 72. The projections 74 engage in theindentations 72 as the cap is tightened down on the bottle neck, therebysecurely holding the cap 42′ on the bottle neck 14′ and preventing thebacking off of the cap. To remove the cap 42′ from the bottle neck 14′ asufficient torque must be exerted on the cap to cause the disengagementof the cap projections 74 from the bottle indentations 72.

A third embodiment of the bottle and cap closure apparatus is shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. This third embodiment is similar in construction to thatof the first described embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and2, and common structural features of the third embodiment to those ofthe first embodiment are labeled with the same reference numbersfollowed by a double prime (″). Because the third embodiment has commonstructural features to the first embodiment that have already beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, these common structuralfeatures will not again be described.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the bottle neck screw thread 24″ ofthe third embodiment of the apparatus differs in construction from thatof the first embodiment in that the projections 38 of the firstembodiment are replaced by a plurality of projections 82 that extendaxially downwardly from the lower flank surface 34″ across the exteriorsurface 18″ of the bottle neck 14″. As seen in FIG. 5, each of theprojections 82 extends downwardly from the thread flank surface 34″ tothe bottle 12″ where the bottle neck 14″ extends outwardly from thebottle. Thus, the projections 82 are formed as three adjacent columnsthat have general trapezoidal cross sections that project radiallyoutwardly from the bottle neck 14″. In a similar manner to thepreviously described embodiments, the bottle thread projections 82 arepositioned adjacent the second end 28″ of the bottle screw thread 24″.

The cap 42″ of the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6differs in construction from that of the first embodiment in that thescrew thread indentations 68 of the first embodiment of the cap arereplaced by screw thread indentations 84 on the third embodiment of thecap. As shown in FIG. 6, the cap screw thread indentations 84 correspondin shape and in number to the bottle screw thread projections 82. Thespatial positioning of the cap indentations 84 also corresponds to thatof the bottle thread projections 82. However, the cap threadindentations 84 extend radially into the crest surface 66″ of the capscrew thread. Thus, the cap indentations 84 form grooves that extendcompletely across the cap screw thread 52″ between the screw threadflank surfaces 62″, 64″.

In attaching the cap 42″ to the bottle neck 14″, the cap is firstinitially screw threaded on the bottle neck. As the cap 42″ is tighteneddown on the bottle neck 14″, the cap indentations 84 approach the bottleneck projections 82. The bottle neck projections 82 engage in the capindentations 84 as the cap is tightened down on the bottle neck, therebysecurely holding the cap 42″ on the bottle neck 14″ and preventing thebacking off of the cap. To remove the cap 42″ from the bottle neck 14″ asufficient torque must be exerted on the cap to cause the disengagementof the bottle neck projections 82 from the cap indentations 84.

While the present invention has been described above by reference tospecific embodiments of the invention, it should be understood thatmodifications and variations could be made to the bottle and cap closureapparatus without departing from the intended scope of the followingclaims.

1. A bottle and cap closure apparatus comprising: a bottle having aninterior volume and an opening in the bottle to the bottle interiorvolume; a cylindrical bottle neck on the bottle surrounding the bottleopening, the bottle neck having a center axis that defines mutuallyperpendicular axial and radial directions relative to the bottle, andthe bottle neck having a cylindrical exterior surface and an annular endat an axially opposite end of the bottle neck from the bottle; a bottlescrew thread on the bottle neck exterior surface, the bottle screwthread having opposite first and second ends and a length between theopposite first and second ends, the bottle screw thread length extendingaround the bottle neck exterior surface as the bottle screw threadextends from the first end of the bottle screw thread positionedadjacent the bottle neck annular end, to the second end of the bottlescrew thread positioned adjacent the bottle; a projection on the bottlescrew thread, the projection extending outwardly from the bottle screwthread; a cap having an interior volume and an opening in the cap to thecap interior volume, the cap opening and the cap interior volume beingdimensioned to receive the bottle neck through the cap opening andinside the cap interior volume; a cylindrical sidewall on the capsurrounding the cap opening and the cap interior volume, the sidewallhaving a center axis that defines mutually perpendicular axial andradial directions relative to the cap, the sidewall having a cylindricalinterior surface and an annular end that surround the cap opening andthe cap interior volume; a cap screw thread on the sidewall interiorsurface, the cap screw thread having opposite first and second ends anda length between the opposite first and second ends, the cap screwthread length extending around the cap interior surface as the cap screwthread extends from the first end to the second end; and, an indentationon the cap screw thread, the indentation extending inwardly into the capscrew thread, and the indentation being sized to receive the projectionon the bottle screw thread when the cap is screw threaded on the bottleneck.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the projectionbeing adjacent the second end of the bottle screw thread.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the projection being one of aplurality of projections on the bottle screw thread; and, theindentation being one of a plurality of indentations on the cap screwthread.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the pluralityof projections on the bottle screw thread all being adjacent the secondend of the bottle screw thread.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: the projection extending axially outwardly from the bottlescrew thread; and, the indentation extending axially inwardly into thecap screw thread.
 6. A bottle and cap closure apparatus comprising: abottle having an interior volume and an opening in the bottle to thebottle interior volume; a cylindrical bottle neck on the bottlesurrounding the bottle opening, the bottle neck having a center axisthat defines mutually perpendicular axial and radial directions relativeto the bottle, and the bottle neck having a cylindrical exterior surfaceand an annular end at an axially opposite end of the bottle neck fromthe bottle; a bottle screw thread on the bottle neck exterior surface,the bottle screw thread having opposite first and second ends and alength between the opposite first and second ends, the bottle screwthread length extending around the bottle neck exterior surface as thebottle screw thread extends from the first end of the bottle screwthread positioned adjacent the bottle neck annular end, to the secondend of the bottle screw thread positioned adjacent the bottle; anindentation on the bottle screw thread, the indentation extendinginwardly into the bottle screw thread; a cap having an interior volumeand an opening in the cap to the cap interior volume, the cap openingand the cap interior volume being dimensioned to receive the bottle neckthrough the cap opening and inside the cap interior volume; acylindrical sidewall on the cap surrounding the cap opening and the capinterior volume, the sidewall having a center axis that defines mutuallyperpendicular axial and radial directions relative to the cap, thesidewall having a cylindrical interior surface and an annular end thatsurround the cap opening and the cap interior volume; a cap screw threadon the sidewall interior surface, the cap screw thread having oppositefirst and second ends and a length between the opposite first and secondends, the cap screw thread length extending around the cap interiorsurface as the cap screw thread extends from the first end to the secondend; and, a projection on the cap screw thread, the projection extendingoutwardly from the cap screw thread, and the projection being sized toextend into the indentation on the bottle screw thread when the cap isscrew threaded on the bottle neck.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, furthercomprising: the indentation being adjacent the second end of the bottlescrew thread.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: theindentation being one of a plurality of indentations in the bottle screwthread; and, the projection being one of a plurality of projections onthe cap screw thread.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:the plurality of indentations in the bottle screw thread all beingadjacent the second end of the bottle screw thread.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 6, further comprising: the indentation extending axially inwardlyinto the bottle screw thread; and, the projection extending axiallyoutwardly from the cap screw thread.
 11. A bottle and cap closureapparatus comprising: a bottle having an interior volume and an openingin the bottle to the bottle interior volume; a cylindrical bottle neckon the bottle surrounding the bottle opening, the bottle neck having acenter axis that defines mutually perpendicular axial and radialdirections relative to the bottle, and the bottle neck having acylindrical exterior surface and an annular end at an axially oppositeend of the bottle neck from the bottle; a bottle screw thread on thebottle neck exterior surface, the bottle screw thread having oppositefirst and second ends and a length between the opposite first and secondends, the bottle screw thread length extending around the bottle neckexterior surface as the bottle screw thread extends from the first endof the bottle screw thread positioned adjacent the bottle neck annularend, to the second end of the bottle screw thread positioned adjacentthe bottle; a projection on the bottle neck exterior surface adjacentthe bottle screw thread, the projection extending radially outwardlyfrom the bottle neck exterior surface; a cap having an interior volumeand an opening in the cap to the cap interior volume, the cap openingand the cap interior volume being dimensioned to receive the bottle neckthrough the cap opening and inside the cap interior volume; acylindrical sidewall on the cap surrounding the cap opening and the capinterior volume, the sidewall having a center axis that defines mutuallyperpendicular axial and radial directions relative to the cap, thesidewall having a cylindrical interior surface and an annular end thatsurround the cap opening and the cap interior volume; a cap screw threadon the sidewall interior surface, the cap screw thread having oppositefirst and second ends and a length between the opposite first and secondends, the cap screw thread length extending around the cap interiorsurface as the cap screw thread extends from the first end to the secondend; and, an indentation on the cap screw thread, the indentationextending radially inwardly into the cap screw thread, and theindentation being sized to receive the projection on the bottle neckexterior surface when the cap is screw threaded on the bottle neck. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: the projection beingadjacent the second end of the bottle screw thread.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 11, further comprising: the projection being one of a plurality ofprojections on the bottle neck exterior surface; and, the indentationbeing one of a plurality of indentations on the cap screw thread. 14.The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: the plurality ofprojections on the bottle neck exterior surface all being adjacent thesecond end of the bottle screw thread.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11,further comprising: the cap screw thread having opposite flank surfacesthat extend the length of the cap screw thread between the cap screwthread first and second ends, the cap screw thread having a crestsurface between the opposite flank surfaces, the crest surface extendingthe length of the cap screw thread between the cap screw thread firstand second ends; and, the indentation extending radially inwardly intothe cap screw thread crest surface.
 16. A bottle and cap closureapparatus comprising: a bottle having an interior volume and an openingin the bottle to the bottle interior volume; a cylindrical bottle neckon the bottle surrounding the bottle opening, the bottle neck having acenter axis that defines mutually perpendicular axial and radialdirections relative to the bottle, and the bottle neck having acylindrical exterior surface and an annular end surface at an axiallyopposite end of the bottle neck exterior surface from the bottle; abottle screw thread on the bottle neck exterior surface, the bottlescrew thread having opposite first and second ends and a length betweenthe opposite first and second ends, the bottle screw thread lengthspiraling around the bottle neck exterior surface as the bottle screwthread extends from the first end of the bottle screw thread positionedadjacent the bottle neck annular end surface to the second end of thebottle screw thread positioned adjacent the bottle, the bottle screwthread having opposite flank surfaces that extend between the bottlescrew thread first and second ends; a projection on one of the bottlescrew thread flank surfaces, the projection extending axially outwardlyfrom the one bottle screw thread flank surface; a cap having an interiorvolume and an opening in the cap to the cap interior volume, the capopening and the cap interior volume being dimensioned to receive thebottle neck through the cap opening and inside the cap interior volume;a cylindrical sidewall on the cap surrounding the cap opening and thecap interior volume, the sidewall having a center axis that definesmutually perpendicular axial and radial directions relative to the cap,the sidewall having a cylindrical interior surface and an annular endsurface that surround the cap opening and the cap interior volume; a capscrew thread on the sidewall interior surface, the cap screw threadhaving opposite first and second ends and a length between the oppositefirst and second ends, the cap screw thread length spiraling around thecap interior surface as the cap screw thread extends from the first endto the second end, the cap screw thread having opposite flank surfacesthat extend between the cap screw thread first and second ends; and, anindentation on one of the cap screw thread flank surfaces, theindentation extending axially inwardly into the one cap screw threadflank surface, and the indentation being sized to receive the projectionon the one bottle screw thread flank surface when the cap is screwthreaded on the bottle neck.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising: the projection being adjacent the second end of the bottlescrew thread.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: theprojection being one of a plurality of projections on the one of thebottle screw thread flank surfaces; and, the indentation being one of aplurality of indentations on the one of the cap screw thread flanksurfaces.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: theplurality of projections on the one of the bottle screw thread flanksurfaces all being adjacent the second end of the bottle screw thread.20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: the bottle screwthread flank surface opposite the one of the bottle screw thread flanksurfaces having no projections.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising: the bottle screw thread having a crest surface between theopposite flank surfaces, the crest surface extending the length of thebottle screw thread between the bottle screw thread first and secondends.
 22. A bottle and cap closure apparatus comprising: a bottle havingan interior volume and an opening in the bottle to the bottle interiorvolume; a cylindrical bottle neck on the bottle surrounding the bottleopening, the bottle neck having a center axis that defines mutuallyperpendicular axial and radial directions relative to the bottle, andthe bottle neck having a cylindrical exterior surface and an annular endsurface at an axially opposite end of the bottle neck exterior surfacefrom the bottle; a bottle screw thread on the bottle neck exteriorsurface, the bottle screw thread having opposite first and second endsand a length between the opposite first and second ends, the bottlescrew thread length spiraling around the bottle neck exterior surface asthe bottle screw thread extends from the first end of the bottle screwthread positioned adjacent the bottle neck annular end surface, to thesecond end of the bottle screw thread positioned adjacent the bottle,the bottle screw thread having opposite flank surfaces that extendbetween the bottle screw thread first and second ends; an indentation onone of the bottle screw thread flank surfaces, the indentation extendingaxially inwardly into the one bottle screw thread flank surface; a caphaving an interior volume and an opening in the cap to the cap interiorvolume, the cap opening and the cap interior volume being dimensioned toreceive the bottle neck through the cap opening and inside the capinterior volume; a cylindrical sidewall on the cap surrounding the capopening and the cap interior volume, the sidewall having a center axisthat defines mutually perpendicular axial and radial directions relativeto the cap, the sidewall having a cylindrical interior surface and anannular end surface that surrounds the cap opening and the cap interiorvolume; a cap screw thread on the sidewall interior surface, the capscrew thread having opposite first and second ends and a length betweenthe opposite first and second ends, the cap screw thread lengthspiraling around the cap interior surface as the cap screw threadextends from the first end to the second end, the cap screw threadhaving opposite flank surfaces that extend between the cap screw threadfirst and second ends; and, a projection on one of the cap screw threadflank surfaces, the projection extending axially outwardly from the onecap screw thread flank surface, and the projection being sized to bereceived in the indentation in the one bottle screw thread flank surfacewhen the cap is screw threaded on the bottle neck.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 22, further comprising: the indentation being adjacent the secondend of the bottle screw thread.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, furthercomprising: the indentation being one of a plurality of indentations inthe one bottle screw thread flank surface; and, the projection being oneof a plurality of projections on the one cap screw thread flank surface.25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: the plurality ofindentations in the one bottle screw thread flank surface all beingadjacent the second end of the bottle screw thread.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 22, further comprising: the bottle screw thread flank surfaceopposite the one bottle screw thread flank surface having noindentations.
 27. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising: thebottle screw thread having a crest surface between the opposite flanksurfaces, the crest surface extending the length of the bottle screwthread between the bottle screw thread first and second ends.
 28. Abottle and cap closure apparatus comprising: a bottle having an interiorvolume and an opening in the bottle to the bottle interior volume; acylindrical bottle neck on the bottle surrounding the bottle opening,the bottle neck having a center axis that defines mutually perpendicularaxial and radial directions relative to the bottle, and the bottle neckhaving a cylindrical exterior surface and an annular end surface at anaxially opposite end of the bottle neck exterior surface from thebottle; a bottle screw thread on the bottle neck exterior surface, thebottle screw thread having opposite first and second ends and a lengthbetween the opposite first and second ends, the bottle screw threadlength spiraling around the bottle neck exterior surface as the bottlescrew thread extends from the first end of the bottle screw threadpositioned adjacent the bottle neck annular end to the second end of thebottle screw thread positioned adjacent the bottle, the bottle screwthread having opposite flank surfaces that extend between the bottlescrew thread first and second ends; a projection on the bottle neckexterior surface adjacent one of the bottle screw thread flank surfaces,the projection extending radially outwardly from the bottle neckexterior surface; a cap having an interior volume and an opening in thecap to the cap interior volume, the cap opening and the cap interiorvolume being dimensioned to receive the bottle neck through the capopening and inside the cap interior volume; a cylindrical sidewall onthe cap surrounding the cap opening and the cap interior volume, thesidewall having a center axis that defines mutually perpendicular axialand radial directions relative to the cap, the sidewall having acylindrical interior surface and an annular end surface that surroundsthe cap opening and the cap interior volume; a cap screw thread on thesidewall interior surface, the cap screw thread having opposite firstand second ends and a length between the opposite first and second ends,the cap screw thread length spiraling around the cap interior surface asthe cap screw thread extends from the first end to the second end, thecap screw thread having opposite flank surfaces that extend between thecap screw thread first and second ends, the cap screw thread having acrest surface between the opposite flank surfaces, the crest surfaceextending the length of the cap screw thread between the cap screwthread first and second ends; and, an indentation on the cap screwthread crest surface, the indentation extending radially inwardly intothe cap screw thread crest surface, and the indentation being sized toreceive the projection on the bottle neck exterior surface when the capis screw threaded on the bottle neck.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28,further comprising: the projection being adjacent the second end of thebottle screw thread.
 30. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:the projection being one of a plurality of projections on the bottleneck exterior surface; and, the indentation being one of a plurality ofindentations on the cap screw thread crest surface.
 31. The apparatus ofclaim 30, further comprising: the plurality of projections on the bottleneck exterior surface all being adjacent the second end of the bottlescrew thread.
 32. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: thebottle screw thread having a crest surface between the opposite flanksurfaces, the crest surface extending the length of the bottle screwthread between the bottle screw thread first and second ends.